6
viewpoint
Comment on any story online at abbynews.com or email newsroom@abbynews.com Published and printed by Black Press Limited 34375 Gladys Avenue, Abbotsford
ABBOTSFORD NEWS I Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Electoral apathy trend needs reversing
Mark
Rushton On the
Other Hand Today the election writ drops, and for the next 28 days, politicians of all stripes will be trying to convince us to check off their names before dropping our ballots into the box. Personally, I’m not so worried about who gets elected as much as I am about how many people take the time and have the interest to exercise their democratic right and duty. One of the biggest fears is that with a wretchedly low turnout of voters on May 14, a mere handful of people can determine the course of our province for the next four years. For some candidates, that works in their favour, but it does no favours for the greater good. Anyone over the age of 17 can vote, and the segment of the population between 18 and 40 is by far the majority.
Yet most of them don’t bother with, or even think about, the importance of voting. But when the economy tanks and jobs disappear, they’re the first in line to protest the actions of a government they had no hand in electing. So, one of the first duties of any candidate, and any political party, should be to engage young people any way they can. It might mean success for them, but it definitely will mean success for British Columbia, because no matter who was elected, we could live with the fact the majority has determined the best course. If this coming election is like the one in 2009, only 50 per cent of eligible voters will have turned out. Figuring in the number of candidates in each riding who tally votes, the eventual winners and losers will be determined by very few people. And unless that turnout changes; unless people of all ages become both concerned and engaged about their future, politicians and governments will only become further entrenched
in catering to those special interest groups who support them. We’ll have to see how the next 28 days go, and if somehow the candidates and parties can stir up enough interest to push voting numbers up.
If this coming election is like the one in 2009, only 50 per cent of eligible voters will have turned out. It might happen … look at the unlikely resurgence of interest in hunting. Apparently driven in part by the desire to consume truly ‘organic’ food, urbanites are flocking to hunter training programs, reversing a 30-year downward trend. In fact, since 2001 the number of people taking the course needed to acquire a hunting licence has more than
34375 Gladys Ave., Abbotsford, B.C. V2S 2H5 604-853-1144
Fun for the whole family!
Spring Fair April 26th & 27th
Friday: 4-9 pm | Saturday 9-4 pm Live Auction @ Noon
33333 Mayfair Ave. • Huge Garage Sale • Clothing Sale • Books • Toys • Bake Sale
• Farmer’s Market • Vendors • Live/Silent Auctions • Concession • . . . and MORE!
markrushton@abbynews.com
Authorized as second class mail by the Post Office Department Second class mail registration no. 1246
Need Cash?
FREE
ADMISSION
St. Ann’s
doubled, from 3,172 to 7,868 last year. That may bode well for stores selling outdoor gear and guns, though I’m not so certain it will be a serious threat to wildlife populations. Making the gun go bang, followed by the unpleasantness of evisceration, may create short-lived hunting careers for many aspiring urbanite nimrods. So, if the interest in hunting, which for many years has largely been viewed as politically incorrect, can be rekindled, there is hope that once again the fires of political passion can be stoked enough to get people voting again. It’s going to take a new way of reaching out because, unfortunately, more and more people are turning away from the traditional sources of information and relying on electronic devices to access info on Facebook, Twitter and the Internet. This provincial election could be the first we see of a real transition from traditional campaigning. We have 28 days to find out.
• Bank of Canada Notes • Chartered Bank Notes • Dominion of Canada Notes • Coin Collections & Estates
We Buy GOLD, SILVER, COINS, ALL JEWELLERY, STERLING SILVER
Phil’s Bills
COINS & JEWELLERY
MUST SAY STERLING OR .925
20439 Douglas Crescent, Langley CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT: 604-530-2144 or 778-808-1766 Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm • philsbills1@hotmail.com
ATTENTION: STRATA OWNERS & STRATA COUNCIL
Games!
Face Painting Bouncy Castle
PREMIUMS GOING UP? NEED A COMPETITIVE QUOTE?
Chilliwack Insurance has a new Strata insurance program with competitive rates & coverages. Call one of our Strata insurance specialists for a quote and policy review today. • AUTOPLAN • HOME • CONDO • BUSINESS • LIFE
facebook.com/
stannsspringfair
02/13abby_CI5
45425 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack, BC V2R 2T7 TOLL FREE
1.877.789.7112
e-mail: devin@insurebc.ca